Erie County, CSEA reach tentative contract deal

Employees of Erie County’s largest union would see their pay increase by 11.5 percent during the next five years under a tentative agreement that will go to members for a vote later this month.

The tentative deal announced Wednesday by County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz and leaders of Local 815, Civil Service Employees Association, also would require current employees to begin paying 7.5 percent of their health insurance premium in January 2017, according to terms posted on the county’s website.

Roughly 2,700 employees of Erie County, Erie Community College and the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library will vote on the proposal. Union members last year voted down a previous proposal that included different provisions for phasing in health insurance contributions by employees and retirees.

Under the latest proposed agreement, union members would get raises between 2 percent and 2.5 percent each year, but they would give up reduced summer hours and Election Day as a paid holiday. Current employees would also be switched to a less expensive health care plan and would have to pay the difference in premiums if they wanted to enroll in a more expensive plan.

New employees hired after the contract’s approval would immediately contribute 15 percent toward health insurance premiums. Employees who retire starting in December 2017 will be required to pay 7.5 percent of their health insurance.